Dean takes top role
Fiji FA optimistic about Baby Bula Boys
THE Fiji Football Association is positive that the Digicel Junior Bula Boys will put the country on the world map when the side participants in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
LAUTOKA’S Rizwan Dean has been appointed as the new Fiji Football Association talent identification officer.
Dean will work closely with Fiji FA technical director Timo Jankowski to select as many as 40 players in the junior grades to enhance their skills.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel said Jankowsk was doing an excellent job with the McDonalds junior league.
He said this included the under-9, U12 and U14 grades.
“This is very positive and we have a talent manager on board, Rizwan from Lautoka,” Patel said.
“We will have a selection of 30 to 40 players from all around the country.
“That will give the stepping stone for the younger players from the grassroots level to get into the national system.
“That is what I have been targeting, which is grassroots development all the time.” under-17 Championship in Suva next month.
The Fiji U17 side is in camp preparing, under the guidance of Sunil Kumar, for the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru from November 10 to December 2.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel, said they were hopeful the Fiji
U17 team would follow the Fiji U19 footsteps in qualifying for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia.
“We are very positive that they will put Fiji on the map like the U19 team,” Patel said.
“The U17 playoff is in January and we are confident that the team will be taken care of well.
“But this U19 team is very crucial in terms of our development process.
“This is because most of these boys will form the next national team that will play in the regional qualifiers for the next FIFA World Cup.
“They need to be groomed, and that is why we need a good professional coach so they blend well to get the techniques and tactics right as we gear up for the 2026 World Cup which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.”